"If things seem like they are spinning out of control, just remember, that's EXACTLY how little maple seeds get where it's going.

I love being hands-on with the jewelry I create. What makes my Maple Seed collection so unique is that these 'charms" are not a direct casting or a "duplicate", but rather, they are an imprint. After painting a dried double maple seed with layers upon layers of precious metal clay (fine silver), I bake the concoction in a kiln. While the clay and Maple seed burn away, what remains is a fine silver imprint of the seed. After some polishing, I make a mold of my fine silver maple seed and later cast the seed in sterling silver (stronger and more durable than the fine silver).

Whew, so that's how it works. It takes time and dexterity and patience. Like I mentioned, sometimes things do seem to spiral out of control, but that's exactly how a little maple seed gets a shot a being a strong, beautiful tree."

To enter today's contest: Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter today's contest. You will earn two entries by leaving a comment on this blog post (this is required to enter the contest) telling me where you'd wear this gorgeous necklace, if you won. You can earn one additional entry for liking the Alecia Wesner Jewelry Facebook page.

Rules: This contest ends tonight at midnight CST, and is open to U.S. residents only. #GiveAllTheThings contests are intended for people with diabetes (or their caregivers) only. Since the Rafflecopter widget requires you to share an email address, I'll be emailing the winner (as well as announcing them through an update on this post) Saturday morning - you'll need to respond to me by Tuesday evening (let's say 7:00 pm CST) with your shipping address in order to claim your prize. If I don't hear from you, I'll pick a new winner.

If I won I'd wear this necklace everyday. Everywhere. I love the message behind it. Not only would I like to keep that close as a reminder but maybe someone would ask about the beautiful piece and then I could pass that message along to them. That life gets chaotic but there is beauty there.

I would wear this every day to work, and relate the story to my patients (I'm a physical therapist) with neurological conditions who often feel like their lives aren't in their control any longer. I love it!

Disclaimer.

I have absolutely no medical training of any kind. Nothing on this website should be used as medical or legal advice. Please talk to your physician first before making any changes to anything related to your health.